Building construction



Jan. 22, 1935. A. HENDERSON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 1,

Filed Aug. 4, 1951 WVENTOR 1935- A. HENDE/RSON 1,988,492

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ON Jan. 22, 1935. A. HENDERSON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 4, 1931 7 Jan. 22, 1935. A, HENDERSON1,988,492

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 fi gli 9 up f19.]\9. 44.9 20.

INVENTOR Jan. 22, 1935. A. HENDERSON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 4,1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 J3 if 1:9. 222. I Z

1 INVENTOR D W M Jan. 22, I935. A. HENDERSON 1,988,492

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 e..pgi lilan.22. 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,988,492 BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONAlbert Henderson,

Application August 4, 1931, Serial 13 Claims.

My invention relates to the construction of buildings and, inparticular, to buildings constructed of precast units, such asstructural blocks.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 551,155, I have illustratedmore fully and claimed the specific type of block herein described asforming the building construction claimed in the pres In the art ofticed at present, it

ent application.

building construction as pracis common to provide structural blocks of alarge number of different sizes and shapes for use building. Differentfor example, to

form the coping in various portions of the shapes of blocks are used, atthe top of the wall, the corner of an exterior angle in the wall, thelintels and sills of doors and window openings, as well as thereof. Theuse of blocks, obviously, increases the jambs and mullions numerousdifferent types of the cost of construction and also introducesdifficulties, by reason of the number of shapes required stock.

to be carried in I have overcome the objections to the present method ofbuilding block of a type which is construction by providing a for use inpractically every part of a building, such as the coping, the body oflintels, sills, jambs,

and window openings,

and mullions for the door and the like. My invention tends to reduce thecost of buildings constructed in accordance therewith to increase thefacility and rapidity of the construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description thereof proceeds.

ing of the invention,

For a complete understandreference is made to the accompanying drawingsillustrating a present preferred embodiment, as

well as certain possible modifications thereof.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building block designed for amultiplicity of uses in the wall of a building;

Figure 2 is a similar view,

showing a modified form of block adapted for use independently orinconnection with Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section,illustrating Figure 1, with the exception that that shown in that ofFigure 1;

broken away and a block similar to it is provided with an exteriorfinish simulating natural stone;

Figure 4 is an end view thereof; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3,showing a further modified form of the Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an en Figure '7 is a perspective view of illustrating themultiplicity of a building wall, uses of which the block of (1 viewthereof;

a portion of invention is capable;

assignor of Pittsburgh,

Figure 8 is a transverse section through the wall shown in Figure 7, thesection being taken through one of the window openings;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing a possible modificationin which blocks of the types shown in Figures 1 and 2 are incorporated;

Figure 10 is a vertical section through the wall shown in Figure '7,taken through one of the window openings;

Figures 11, 12, and 13 are partial sectional views, to enlarged scale,illustrating certain details of the construction of Figures '7 through10;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a further form of building unit forpracticing the invention;

Figure 15 is an end view thereof;

Figure 16 is a central sectional view of a block similar to that shownin Figures 14 and 15, except that the openings therethrough terminateshort of the side of the block;

Figure 1'1 is a view similar to Figure 16, showing a slightly modifiedform of the block;

Figure 18 is an end view of the block shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a plan view of a block similar to that shown in Figure 14,except that it has only one-half the length thereof;

Figure 20 is a sectional view similar to Figure 16, taken through asimilar block of one-half the length thereof;

Figure 21 is a partial side elevation of a wall constructed partly ofthe half blocks shown in Figures 19 and 20;

Figure 22 is a sectional view through the wall shown in Figure 21 on theline XXIL-XXII thereof;

Figure 23 is a transverse sectional view of the wall, taken centrally ofthe window open- Figure 24 is a of a wall constructed in part of blocks,those shown in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 25 is a side elevation of a wall constructed in part of blockssuch as those shown perspective view of a portion such as in Figures 14and 15; and

Figure 26 is a sectional view, to enlarged scale, taken along the lineof Figure 25.

and bottom faces 13 and 14 are each provided with a longitudinal recess17. The recesses 17 extend from the end 15 of the block to a pointadjacent the end 16 but terminate short thereof. The end 15 has avertical recess 18 therein connecting the ends of the recesses 17. Asimilar recess 19 is formed in the end 15 and extends around the end ofthe block at a slight distance from the side, top, and bottom facesthereof. Longitudinal holes or voids 20 extend inwardly of the block 10from the end 15 but terminate short of the end 16.

From the description of the black 10, it will be apparent that the end16 is continuous and without breaks or voids. By providing this closedend for the block 10, it is possible to use the latter adjacent a cornerin an exterior angle of a building without marring the appearance of thelatter. Heretofore, it has been necessary to provide special blocks forwall corners, but a wall constructed according to my invention employsat the corners the same type of block utilized in other portions of thewall. The recesses 1''! have a variety of functions which will beexplained in greater detail hereinafter. Both the recesses 17 and theholes 20 may be made continuous by punching or chipping out the end wall16 of the black. The recesses 18 provide drainage channels vertically ofa building wall to dispose of seepage or condensation. The groove orrecess 19 permits the making of a superior joint between blocks buttedend to end.

Figure 2 illustrates a block 21 similar to that of Figure 1 in allrespects, except that it has a greater width and is provided with threevoids instead of two. Corresponding features of the block in Figure 2are indicated by the same reference numerals applied to Figure 1. Itwill be noted that the recesses 17 are spaced from the side face 11 ofthe block by the same distance in both forms of block. The method ofusing the block shown in Figure 2 will be discussed hereinafter.

Figures 3 and 4 show a block 22 similar to that of Figure 1 with thesingle exception that one side face and the end face thereof, instead ofbeing smooth, are provided with a surface finish simulating that ofnatural rock. The projections from the rock-finished side and end of theblock are made less than the thickness of the usual joint betweenblocks, so that the rough finish does not preclude the formation of goodjoints between blocks butted end to end. The other features of the blockshown in Figures 3 and 4 are the same as those shown in Figure 1 and areindicated by the same numerals.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a block 23 designed for certain special useswhich will be explained hereinafter. The block 23 has a longitudinalrecess 24 in one face extending the full length thereof. One end of theblock has a recess 25. Longitudinal voids 26 extend entirely through theblock. Obviously, the block of Figures 5 and 6 is substantially theequivalent of that of Figure 1, but the recess and voids of the latterhave been made continuous, instead of terminating short of the end. Theblock of Figure 5, however, has only a single face provided with alongitudinal recess.

Figures '7 through 13 illustrate a wall constructed of certain of thetypes of blocks shown in Figures 1 through 6. As shown in Figure 7, abuilding wall has two portions 2'! and 28 meeting at right angles toform an exterior corner.

The body of the wall portions is formed by blocks 10, as shown inFigure 1. At the corner formed by the wall portions, the blocks 10 arelaid so that their continuous ends lie in the plane of that portion ofthe wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block. The cornerof the wall, therefore, is continuous and is unmarred by holes or voids.At the same time, no special block is required for constructing the wallcorner.

The coping 29 of the wall is formed by the uppermost course of blocks 10and constitutes an attractive finish for the top of the wall withoutnecessitating the use of a special design of block.

Figure 10 shows how roof beams 30 may be supported from the wall 28 bymeans of brackets 31 embedded in the wall at joints between adjacentblocks. The beam 30 is bolted to the brackets 31 and a roofing deck 32may be laid thereover. Instead of laying the roofing deck on the beams,nailing sills may be interposed therebetween. Flashing 33 at theintersection of the roofing deck and side walls may conveniently bejointed to the by inserting one edge thereof in a recess 17 of thecourse of blocks just below that forming the coping of the wall. Thisarrangement is also shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 11. Theflashing is thus securely fastened to the side wall and all possibilityof leakage behind the flashing precluded.

The recesses 1'7 in adjacent blocks form a convenient space, indicatedat 34 in Figure 12, for the insertion of weather-stripping, such asasphalt, for preventing the seepage of water through the wall.

Window openings 35 in the wall 28 are provided with lintels, jambs, andsills constituted by blocks 10. The blocks 36, serving as lintels,should have their closed ends punched out to receive reinforcing rods 37(Figure 10) and grout 38. The rods and grout with the lintel blocksconstitute a continuous beam which is amply strong to support the loadimposed thereon by the blocks above the window openings. Jambs for thewindow openings are afforded by blocks 10 placed on end, as indicated at39. A mullion 40 between adjacent windows is similarly constructed. Thejambs and mullions rest upon sills 41 formed by a course of blocks 10 atthe proper level. If desired, the blocks constituting the window sillsmay be positioned so that their to surfa @ramma i inthesilr"bllickstb""provide drainage for any moisture condensed on theinterior of a sash positioned in the window ,opening. Any moisture socollected passes downwardly through the wall by means of the recesses 18in the ends of the blocks 10.

It will be obvious that the lintels 36, jambs 39, mullions 40, and sills41 define window openings having continuous grooves therearound. Thesegrooves are formed by recesses 17 in adjacent blocks and provide meansfor seating the fra steel 5 42 in t The sash, of course, may behingecuir pivoted according to the particularififign selecte The mannerof seating the sash in the grooves is illustrated on a larger scale inFigure 13.

If desired, the voids in the blocks 10, constituting the wall shown inFigure '1, may be filled with insulating material, such as rock-wool,ex-

latter, as shown in Figure 10,

' native, the recesses r transverse voids vertical.

panded cement, cinders, slag, or the like, indicated at 42' in Figure10.

If desired, the mullion 40 may be provided with reinforcement 43 and agrout filling 44 for additional strength, as shown in Figure 8.

Blocks 21 may be employed to build-up a mullion 40', as shown in Figure9, so as to produce a pilaster effect on one side of the wall. Themullion 40' may likewise be reinforced and grouted.

Referring back that blocks may tion of steps 2'1. may be secured in toFigure '1, it will be noted be employed for the construc- Metal treads28' for the steps the recesses 1'1. As an altermay be left empty or maybe filled with a material providing a frictional surface.

Figures 14 and illustrate a slightly different form of block 45. Theblock 45 has substantially the same external dimensions as the blockspreviously described and has a plurality of holes or voids 46 extendingtherethrough parallel to end Figure 16 shows a block 48 similar to block45, except that the holes do not extend entirely through the block. Theblock, therefore, has five continuous faces. The openings in the block48 are indicated at 49 and an end face thereof is provided with a recess50, as in the case of the block in Figures 14 and 15.

Figures 1'1 and 18 illustrate a block 51 similar in all respects to theblock 48 with the additional feature of a longitudinal recess 52 in thetop face thereof. The function of the blocks shown in Figures 16 through18 will be explained subsequently.

Figure 19 shows a block 53 corresponding in shape and size to the righthand half of the block shown in Figure 14, except that the central voidis filled in. The block 53 has a void 54 corresponding in size, shape,and position to the void in the righthand end of the block 45. The block53 has recesses 55 in opposite faces thereof corresponding in size andlocation to the recess 4'1 in the block 45.

Figure shows a block 56 corresponding to the righthand half of block 48,shown in Figure 16, with the central void filled in. As in the case ofthe block 53, the block 56 placed to correspond with the end void in theblock 48 and also with recesses 58 in opposite faces corresponding inlocation to the recess 50 of block 48.

Referring now to Figures 21 through 23, I have illustrated a buildingwall constructed of blocks of the types shown in Figures 14, 15, and 19,or of full and half blocks having holes entirely therethrough. A wall 60has window openings 61 therein. The body of the wall is formed of blocks45 positioned with the axes of At the top of the wall, a course of halfblocks 53 form a coping 62 for the wall. The roof is carried by the wall60 as already explained in connection with Figure 10 and flashing may besimilarly secured to the wall.

Above the window openings 61, a course, of half blocks 63, with the axesof their voids horizontal, constitute a lintel 63. Reinforcing rods 64,traversing thealined voids of the blocks 53 in the lintels 63, togetherwith a grout filling 65 therein, constitute a beam for supporting theweight of the wall above the window openings. It will be noted that therecesses in the blocks 53 of the lintel 63 are exposed at the upper edgeof the window opening.

A window jamb 66 is formed by the blocks 45 abutting the window opening,together with half blocks 53. Both types of blocks are set in the wallso that their end recesses are vertical and form a continuation of thealined recesses in the blocks 53 of the lintel 63.

A mullion 6'1 between adjacent window openings may be formed by aplurality of half blocks 58 positioned with their voids extendingvertically and their recesses exposed at the side edges of the windowopenings. The mullions may be strengthened by reinforcement 68 extendingthrough the alined voids of the blocks 53 and a grout filling 69therein.

A sill '10 for the window openings is contituted by a course of halfblocks 53 laid up in the wall with their voids extending horizontallyand with their recessed faces, top and bottom.

The completed window opening is thus surrounded with a continuous recessfor receiving the frame of the steel sash '11.

As previously stated, the sll blocks may be laid at an angle sufiicientto provide drainage.

It should be noted that the wall 60 is characterized by a continuousfinished surface, even at exterior corners thereof, since the blocks 45each have one smooth, finished end surface which can be made the exposedend of the block when positioned in a wall corner.

Figure 24 illustrates the construction of a wall by the use of blocks ofthe types shown in Figures 5 and 6. A wall '12 in Figure 24 has portions'13 and 14 extending at right angles. The wall portions '13 and '14 arebuilt-up of courses of blocks 23, shown in Figures 5 and 6, togetherwith half blocks where necessary. The corner of the wall is formed by aplurality of blocks 23 arranged vertically with their recessed faceabutting the blocks in one of the wall portions '13 or '14. The cornerof the wall may be reinforced by rods '14 extending through the blocks23 and a grout filling therefor may also be provided. The corner blocksare tied to the wall portions by means of metal ties '15 embedded in thejoints between blocks. A coping 76 for the wall is provided by the topcourse of blocks 23 in the wall portions thereof. In the coping course,the recessed face of the blocks may be turned downwardly and flashingfor the roof may be inserted in the joint between the coping course andthe next course therebelow, as previously illustrated and described.

Window openings '17 in the wall portion '13 have lintels '18, jambs '19,and sills 80. The lintels, jambs, and sills are provided by the blocks23 positioned, as shown in Figure 24, with their longitudinal recessesadjacent the window opening. A continuous groove about the opening isthus provided for receiving the frame of the steel sash 81. As shown inFigure 24, the blocks constituting the lintels and sills are merely theblocks 23 constituting the courses of the body of the wall portions '13and '14. The jambs of the windows are constituted by full and halfblocks laid up in the wall with their axes vertical. The lintel blocksmay be reinforced and grcuted, as previously explained in connectionwith the other forms of blocks.

Figures and 26 illustrate a wall composed of blocks of the typeillustrated in Figures 16 through 18. A wall 85, composed of blocks ofthis type, has its main body made up of courses 86. A coping 87 isprovided by the top course.

Window openings 88 have lintels 89, composed of blocks 48, positioned inthe wall with their length vertical and their recessed ends downward. Ajamb 90 and a mullion 91 for the window openings are provided by fulland half blocks 48 and 56 laid in the wall with their recesses exposedto the window openings. A sill 92 for the window openings is constitutedby blocks 48 laid on end with their recessed ends upward. The windowopenings are thus provided with continuous grooves thereabout forreceiving the frame of steel sash 93.

Lintels above the window openings are composed of blocks having a lengthsubstantially twice their width. The blocks being disposed vertically,no reinforcement for the lintel is necessary because of the flat archeffect produced thereby.

Figure 26 also shows how roof beams and flashing can be incorporated inthe wall 85.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that the inventionprovides a number of systems of building construction, whereby an entirebuilding wall can be formed of one style of precast block withoutsacrificing the appearance of the finished wall and, at the same time,obtaining marked economy in the construction, as well as increasedfacility and convenience. All problems incident to the storage andstocking of blocks of a number of different types, shapes, and sizes areobviated by the invention according to which only a few standard shapesare necessary for the entire construction of a wall. Although I haveillustrated and described several different types of blocks, I have alsoexplained how each of these types of blocks may be employed in wallconstruction without the use of blocks of other designs.

Although only a few modifications of the invention have been disclosed,it will be apparent that many variations therein may be made. Suchchanges which do not depart from the spirit of the invention areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a block wall construction, including mortar bonded corner blocks,mortar bonded jamb blocks having recesses in alinement for the receptionof a sash, and mortar bonded stretcher blocks therebetween bonding saidcorner blocks and said jamb blocks, all of said wall members being builtup with blocks of the same shape.

2. In a block wall construction including mortar bonded coping blocks,mortar bonded lintel blocks having recesses in alinement for thereception of a sash, and mortar bonded stretcher blocks therebetween,bonding said coping blocks and said lintel blocks, all of said wallmembers being built with blocks of the same shape.

3. In a block wall construction including mortar bonded sill blockshaving recesses in alinement for the reception of a sash, and mortarbonded stretcher blocks therebetween bonding said sill blocks, said wallmembers being built up from blocks of the same shape.

4. In a block wall construction including mortar bonded lintel blocksand mortar bonded jamb blocks, recesses in said lintel blocks inalinement with recesses in said jamb blocks for the reception of a sash,said wall members being built with blocks of the same shape.

5. In a block wall construction including mortar bonded lintel blocks,mortar bonded jamb blocks and mortar bonded sill blocks, recesses insaid lintel blocks, jamb blocks and sill blocks disposed in alinementfor the reception of a sash, said wall members being built with blocksof the same shape.

6. In a block wall construction including mortar bonded corner blocks,mortar bonded coping blocks, mortar bonded lintel blocks, mortar bondedjamb blocks, mortar bonded sill blocks, and mortar bonded stretcherblocks therebetween bonding said wall members, recesses in said lintel,jamb and sill blocks arranged in alinement for the reception of a sash,said wall members being substantially built up with blocks of the sameshape.

7. In a block wall construction including bonded corner blocks andbonded jamb blocks bonded to bonded stretcher blocks therebetween,alined recesses in said jamb blocks for the reception of a sash, thewall members being built up substantially exclusively with blocks havinga recess at one end and a plain surface at the opposite end.

8. In a block wall construction including bonded corner blocks andbonded jamb blocks bonded to bonded stretcher blocks therebetween,alined recesses in said jamb blocks for the reception of a sash, thewall members being built up substantially exclusively with blocks havinga recess on a side and a plain surface at one end.

9. In a block wall construction including bonded block steps, bondedblocks in the cheeks of said step engaging bonded stretcher blocks onsaid wall, bonded blocks in the treads of said steps engaging the blocksof said cheeks, the wall and step members being built up substantiallyexclusively with blocks of the same shape.

10. A block wall construction comprising layers of bonded blocks, theblocks having a length substantially twice their height and having acontinuous recess on a surface extending from end to end of said blockfor the reception of a sash, and a hole with a closed end extendingwithin said blocks from an end of said blocks.

11. A block wall construction comprising layers of bonded blocks, theblocks having a length substantially twice their height and having acontinuous recess on a surface extending from end to end of said blockfor the reception of a sash, and having holes with closed ends extendingwithin said blocks from a longitudinal surface of said blocks.

12. A block wall construction comprising layers of bonded blocks, theblocks having a length subtantially twice their height and having acontinuous recess on a surface extending from end to end of said blockfor the reception of a sash, and having a hole with a closed endextending within said blocks.

13. A block wall construction comprising layers of bonded blocks of aheight substantially twice their lengths and a recess for the receptionof a sash on the surface of said blocks and having a hole with closedend extending from another surface of said bloc ALBERT HENDERSON.

